The Crimson Pendant:

Welp, another chapter done, another chapter into the story. Sorry it took me so long, I had a lot of work to do with mid-terms and everything at school (grrrrrrrr). But everything's settled down now so I'll be writing a bit more, enjoy!

The Crimson Pendant:

Chapter 4-I Hope You Dance

Janus had been up for some time and still he was holding onto that inquiring question from the previous night. He paced around the small enclosure, trying not to let the burning issue get to him. He had seen Leila that morning but he had not gotten the chance to ask her. She had been in such a terrible rush that morning that she had almost forgotten to check his wounds. What's worse is that she told him that he couldn't even open the only window in the shed wall, which left him trapped inside the tight enclosure.

"This is ridiculous!" He scoffed, sitting down on his bed, "Why am I still here? I don't have to put up with being locked in here! I should just leave this place!" He rose from his bed abruptly and paced over to the door. Hesitantly he touched the knob. "You're not going to stay here and be treated like an animal, are you?!" Reassured by his remark, he tightly squeezed the knob, ready to leave.

Uncertain of his next action, the confused boy stood there, evaluating the entire situation. If he were to stay there he would be stuck in the shed for god knows how long. But, if he were to leave, he'd probably never get a chance to find out if his sister was alive and, more importantly, right under his nose. With a frustrated sigh Janus dropped his hand from the knob and proceeded to his bed again, not sure what to do next.

He sat there on the bed for a second then leisurely reached into his pant pocket. "I guess I really should take this out for once," he snickered, pulling out a long silver chain, "My good luck charm." He held up the slender necklace to examine it and smiled, it was the charm Schala had given him years ago. He never wore it around his neck for fear of it being broken or stolen, but he always kept it close to him, no matter what. "Hopefully," he sighed, putting the charm back into his pocket, "I'll be able to see you again Schala." The boy sighed again, laying on his back in the same instant, and began thinking about his sister and what she would think about what he'd become.

A faint rhythmic clanging brought Janus out of his thoughts and back to reality. Startled by the familiar sound, the boy sat up. It was the sound of clanging armor, an almost unmistakable noise that made Janus's heart race. "It's headed this way," he hissed, sliding off his bed gently. Swiftly he began searching the shed for anything that looked effective as a weapon. A neigh from the protesting horse signaled the visitor's arrival upon the house, just as Janus grabbed up a wheat sickle and hid behind one of the larger boxes. "If Leila sent for him to come and capture me," he contemplated, gripping his weapon tighter, "She better be prepared to explain her actions."

The knight dismounted his stead with a clang and proceeded to the door, each of his steps resonating a metallic clash. A loud knocking proceeded as the visitor gave the household announcement of this arrival. Then, silence consumed the area as the knight paused, waiting for the answer of his host. Janus stealthily crept up to the shed door, curious to see this new arrival to the house. There stood a tall knight who looked much like Janus's senior. He wore armor that, from its look, had seen as many battles as a knight from the royal court. His helmet was in his hands and his matted brown hair seemed to finish off his brawny appearance.

Suddenly the pounding of footsteps vibrated the house as screams of delight echoed to their beat. The door was then thrown open and squeals of welcome burst out onto the anticipating knight.

"Daddy's home! Daddy's home!" The little blonde squeaked, grabbing onto the metal shell around the man's leg.

"Oh Papa! I'm so glad you're home!" Leila Cried, following her sister's example and hugging her father's arm.

A slender blonde woman then trailed into Janus's view. She was petite and beautiful, reminding him of a more mature form of the little Fiona. "Could she be Leila's mother?" He interrogated, his heart sinking at the sudden idea, "Perhaps she's just another sister, I'll have to ask Leila." The blonde woman slowly traipsed up to the man and his girls, her hands clutched to her chest in a content but withdrawn manner. "You, you came back!" She stammered, trying to hold back the tears from her eyes.

"Of course I did," the man cooed, hugging the three women as best he could, "I promised you I would, didn't I?" He let go of the girls, "Now then," gently he began coaxing them inside the house, "Let's get inside so we can discuss all we've done since I last left." The door then closed behind the knight and all Janus could hear was muffled talk and laughter.

The boy pushed off the door, uninterested by the house and it's further proceedings. "Leila's father," He thought, placing the rapier by his bed, "so that was him. I better keep my guard sharp with a man like that around." He sat down on his bed and looked back at the sickle lying against the wall. "I might need that."

As he finished his sentence, the door swung open revealing Leila's soft figure. She skipped in happily with her usual tray of items and closed the door behind her. "I'm sure you already know this," she chimed, going over to the closed window with a smile, " but my father just arrived home!" She opened the window, then sat down on the bed next to Janus, "I'm so happy he's home safe."

"That's nice," The boy murmured, trying to sound as interested as he could.

Leila's smile widened, "I'd like you to meet him."

Janus's heart beat more rapidly; perhaps she really was going to hand him over to the humans. "I'd rather not," He muttered, a bit uncomfortable at how close the girl was.

Noticing his uneasiness she slid away from him, her face blushed. "Why don't you want to? He's different than most other humans; he believes that humans and mystics can coexist, like me."

"Then why was he fighting for the human's army?" Janus scoffed.

Leila's eyes widened in astonishment, "I…I never thought of that," the brunette's gaze lowered to the floor, "I'm sorry, I just thought, I mean, you don't have to meet him if you don't want to." She stuttered, "It's just that, well, he's always told me to treat humans and mystics the same, no matter what my mother says."

"Your mother," Janus began, trying to change the subject to his inquiry from the morning, "Was she the blonde woman that came out to greet your father this afternoon?"

"You saw her?" Leila squeaked surprised by the question, "Yes, that was her, why?"

"Know reason," He retorted, upset by his misfortune, "It's just that you don't look a thing like her." He folded his arms as he vented his disappointment on the young girl.

Leila sat up straight, a bit taken back by his comment, "Is it that noticeable? I…I didn't realize it was that apparent."

"What's so apparent?" Janus questioned back, not sure what he had said to distress the girl.

Leila shook her head, "Nevermind, I just get upset when people say that. It makes me feel so alienated from my family." She looked down at the boy's stomach, suddenly intent on finishing their discussion. "Now then, let's take a look at how you're doing." Before Janus had time to even protest, Leila had grabbed the scissors she had brought and began cutting through the soft cloth around his middle. "Don't you worry Jack," She chimed softly, seeing the shocked expression on Janus's face, "As long as you're under my care no one will harm you."

Those words eased the boy's mind, just as his sister's used to long ago; and for the next few days, he kept them tucked away in his memory along with the nagging query of Leila's unusual reply to his statement. She was, to him, so much like his sister and he was going to find out about her no matter what. Then, his chance finally arrived.

One morning (about the sixth day of Janus's lodge) Leila turned up at the shed extra early. Tenderly the brunette shook Janus, trying hard to keep her excitement contained. "Jack, Jack wake up!" She whispered.

Janus jumped up swiftly, startling the poor girl to a standing position. "What do you want?" He snapped, angry at his abrupt awakening.

"I…I'm sorry…I…I just wanted to tell you something." The poor girl defended.

"Well then tell me," He muttered, rubbing his still drowsy eyes, "so I can get back to sleep."

"Well," She began, her voice excited but low, "The Trader's Fair comes to Dorina Village today and…"

Janus rolled his eyes, "And you woke me up to say that?" He pulled the covers back up to his neck, "Leave me alone, I want to sleep."

"I didn't finish!" Leila protested in more than a whisper.

"Okay, so finish." Janus barked back.

"So, like I was saying," She sat on the bed next to the boy, "My parents said I could go, and I was wondering if you might want to come too."

Silence ensued her statement as Janus stared at her in disbelief, "You want me, to go with you to a fair?" The boy stared at her with a questioning look.

She smiled and nodded, looking as sweet as she possibly could, "Uh-huh, I thought it might do you some good. You won't have your stitches in tonight so you'll be perfectly fit too."

"No." He bluntly replied. Then, without another word he pulled the covers over his head and tried to go back to sleep.

"But," The girl insisted, "Oh nevermind! I was just trying to be nice and get you out of this stuffy shed." She then pushed off his bed and stormed out the room, "I'll be back with your breakfast." She then closed the door behind her, leaving Janus to sleep.

Within a half hour, Leila was back in the shed with her normal tray, gently waking Janus up, like she had prior to this visit. "Jack, It's time to eat."

The boy sat up, this time slower then he had previously done and couldn't help but grin. He was hungry and ready to eat.

"Before you eat, I want to take your stitches out," Leila remarked, picking up a pair of scissors from her tray. "I told you I was going to earlier this morning, but you probably didn't hear me." She reprimanded sarcastically, something Janus had adapted to within the days he'd been with her.

"I heard you," He yawned, submitting to her care, "And I'm still not going to the fair."

"Why not?" She whined, beginning her incisions in the bandage, "I think it would do you some good."

"And how would I even get into the fairgrounds?" The boy commented, "Remember, I am a mystic!"

"I've already thought about that," She looked up for a moment, giving the boy a self-satisfied grin, "You can wear my cloak."

"I'm still not going," The boy pouted, folding his arms.

"Ly back," The brunette demanded, changing the subject. "I have to start cutting the stitches now."

The boy obeyed and slowly laid down on his back. The cold metal slipped across his skin, making him wince and the girl giggled. "You don't have to worry, I won't hurt you."

"I trust you," He mused, staring down at the girl as she vigilantly worked on his healing wound. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps if he went to the fair with her, he could get to know more about her and find out about her past. She looked so much like Schala that there had to be a connection somewhere, and the secret she was hiding from him helped to confirm his suspicions. "So what's there to do at this fair of yours," He queried, watching as the girl delicately cut the threads.

She looked up for a second, surprised by the question, "Don't tell me you're thinking about going?" She gave him a mocking grin then went back to work.

"Well…actually I thought I might as well go…since…there's nothing to do around here anyway."

"I guess if you really want to," The girl sarcastically sighed, "I'll bring you my cloak with your evening meal. Then you can head toward the village and meet me at the entrance to the fairgrounds, okay?" She beamed brightly at the boy, then turned back to his belly, completing the task and hurriedly putting the scissors on her tray. "Now then," She sighed, hopping up, "I have other chores I need to tend to so I'll see you at dusk." She began walking toward the door.

"Until then." Janus whispered under his breath. He couldn't help but smile at the idea of escorting her to the fair. Although he wasn't fond of the thought of going to a fair, he was a bit excited about being with Leila for the night. He had grown quite fond of her and was beginning to enjoy her company. "This should be an interesting experience," He sighed, cracking open the shed window, to gaze out. "And hopefully I'll get the information I want." He smiled, tonight was going to be interesting if anything.